Health

Are there any special considerations performing services on clients with Parkinson’s disease?

May 14, 2007 | Bookmark +

I have a client with Parkinson’s disease. Are there any special considerations or things I should avoid when performing manicures and pedicures on this client? Her one hand is significantly closed, but we manage.

Answer

No special precautions need to be taken when giving a nail service to a Parkinson’s patient. In fact, hand/foot massage would likely be beneficial. Most persons with Parkinson’s can flex, but sometimes a client’s hand remains mostly closed. In this case, discuss whether it can be flexed at all. If the person can flex at times, it’s important to encourage that movement, and massaging the hand would be good. If it seems to be a contracture (inability to open the hand), then it's essential that movement not be forced as it could cause injury.

Also of note: certain times can be more difficult than others due to the variation in dexterity throughout the day. If you're working with a client who has extreme fluctuations throughout the day, referred to as “off” time (when things aren’t going well), and “on” time (when moving at their best), you may want to schedule appointments accordingly. — Ruth Hagestuen is field services director of the National Parkinson Foundation.

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What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

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What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

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